Elhiem Miniatures

[Weaver]

Dadlamassu provided a link to these guys in response to Zenrat's request for Scooby Gang figures here: http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,39261.new.html#new . However, having had a look through the site, there's all sorts of stuff there that would be of interest to modellers, because unlike most fantasy/roleplay stuff, this is all in 20mm scale which equates to 1/72nd.

Some highlights:

1) Weapon sets. There are all the usual suspects, plus some others that are harder to find: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/cat_811876-Weapon-Sets.html

Water-cooled .30cal Browning (note: the pics for the air-cooled and water-cooled ones are mixed up on the site): http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3067789-GUN01-US-30cal-Water-Cooled-MMG.html




Deployed ZPU-1 AAA. This could go straight onto a technical: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3080235-GUN27-Russian-ZPU1-Anti-Aircraft-Gun-deployed.html




SPG-9 Ditto: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3080233-GUN26-Russian-SPG9-Recoiless-Rifle.html




AGS-17 Double Ditto: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3407219-GUN31-Soviet-ASG17-Automatic-Grenade-launcher.html




They also do various AT guns, ATGWs, mortars etc..



2) Generic Figures (from all over the site):

Early Helo pilots (these would also do as generic civilian pilots): http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3065578-FP08-Early-helicopter-pilots-can-be-used-as-modern-civilian-pilots.html




Modern helo door gunners: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3035161-OBJ03-Helicopter-door-gunners.html



Helo pilots: http://www.elhiemfigures.com/ourshop/prod_3035165-OBJ04-Helicopter-Pilots.html



Loads of other figures and stuff, covering modern war, cold war, WWII, 'Nam, pulp, sci-fi, horror, civilian, all sorts of stuff. Well worth a look.

Money where mouth is time: I've just ordered some of these.

[famvburg]

I've always seen 1/72 equated to 25mm. Aren't these smaller scale then?

[Weaver]

1/72nd is usually equated to 20mm these days. 25-28mm is roughly 1/60th. These ratios arn't precise because the figure standards arn't precise and have notoriously "crept" over the years, with so-called 28mm being considerably bigger today than it was 30 years ago.

Good article here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_figure_(gaming)#Scales

[famvburg]

Hmm, confusing! So, in American terms, are the figures 1 inch tall or no?

[Weaver]

So-called "20mm" figures are usually about 23mm these days. There's a whole other set of issues about where you measure to as well: some manufacturers measure to the top of the head, but that includes helmets/headdresses etc, while other measure to the eyes to avoid that problem.

Basically, I have to take the manufacturer's word on their website that these "20mm" figures are 1/72nd scale. I guess I'll find out when they get here......

[Mr.Creak]

I just got some of Elhiem's French (Viet Minh/ Dien Bien Phu) figures.
24 mm bottom of base to top of hat, 22-23 mm top of base top of hat.
20mm bottom of feet to eye level (which is how a number of manufacturers define their figure sizes).
And very nice castings.
I'm also a big fan of Under Fire Miniatures.

Neither look out of place next to Airfix's plastic figures.

I really don't like anything larger for most (company-level) wargames, but do "put up with" 28-32mm figures for skirmish games: Hassle Free being particularly good. And the sweets are nice!

[Captain Canada]

Now that's some neat looking stuff ! Love the .30 Browning. That would make for some neat truck based dios.

Also interested in the helicopter figures.

Thanks for the links !

[NARSES2]

Figure scale/size is and always was an absolute nightmare. I have some old Alberkan ? Russian Imperial Guard figures which were bought in Gamages back in 196? and they are marked as 20mm in the box. They are smaller then modern 15mm figures 

[Weaver]

Yep, proportions are an issue too. Most traditional model soldiers and the figures that come with kits have realistic proportions, but modern gaming figures tend to be "cartoony", with over-sized heads, hands, feet and weapons. Neither style is bad in and of itself, but they look odd when put next to each other.

[NARSES2]

Absolutely the problem has always been compatibility.

Always thought that the issue was a deliberate one so that you were tied in to one manufacturer for each period you dabbled in

[zenrat]

The Elheim figures I have are 1/72 IMO.  The early heli pilots certainly are compared to airfix and Matchbox crewpersons.
Wish i'd noticed the door gunners when I placed my order...

Although strict scale fidelity is probably immaterial with the scooby gang as I intend to use them with a 1/72 plane, 1/76 jeep and a hot wheels mystery machine which is i'm guessing 1/64ish.

[Thorvic]

Just ordered some too from the Cold War range and will see how I get on with them

[lancer]

There looks to be some good stuff there. Looking forward to the reports on them.

[Weaver]

Okay, delivery arrived today, so here's some photos:

1. The Cheap Seats.

From the left we have an Elheim modern helo pilot, an Airfix Skyvan military pilot, two Elheim early helo pilots (all six in the pack are different) and an Airfix Skyvan civvie pilot (don't worry Guv, he's 'armless....)




2. The Stand Up Act.

From the left: Elheim door gunner with pintle MG, Elheim door gunner with M4 carbine, Italeri 1/72nd ground crew figure, Elheim door gunner standing with MG, Elheim door gunner with pintle MG (identical to first one). The four door gunners come as a set. I can't exactly name the MGs, but they could be either M60s or GPMG/MAG/M249s.




3. All the Dakka!!!!

From left, .30 cal WC Browning with ammo box/belt in front of it, ZPU-1 (14.5mm KPV) AAA mount with ammo box to it's right, civvie rucksack and British Army Bergen rucksack. Same nosey Italian as pic #2 at back right for scale. The ZPU is a lovely bit of white metal casting. Bear in mind that I havn't cleaned these up properly: I've just taken the really big casting flash/feeds off.  

[rickshaw]

An interesting set of 25mm figures.  They include such niceties as British Army equipped with EM2 rifles.